Nordic Center at crossroads

An answer to the chaos that occasionally finds its way to the runs at major ski resorts is at nordic centers. You can ski cross-country style, snow skate or snowshoe, without worrying about getting blindsided. For many, it’s also a lot more fun, even exhilarating, and after a day of it you can glow for a week. But not enough people feel that way, apparently.

One of the better cross-country sites, the non-profit Mount Shasta Nordic Center, could close down next year if organizers can’t raise $30,000 to purchase a Snowcat groomer. Access here is free, that is, financial support is based on donations and sponsors.

“We are at a critical time,” said Laurel Harkness, executive director for the Nordic Center. “Without our own Snowcat groomer, we will no longer be able to operate the winter community trail network.”

The Mount Shasta Nordic Center is a great destination. I took my first cross-country lesson here. There are 25 km of groomed trails and routes through a beautiful forest on the slopes of Mount Shasta. Snowshoers stay to the edge of the trails to maintain good conditions for snow skating.

A warming hut is located at the trailhead. Rentals and lessons are available. The park is open every day but Tuesdays.

I’ve asked a few insiders why they don’t charge a high enough fee for access in order to pay for grooming, but most feel the price required to pay for the operation would shut out the market. So to survive, they depend donations and sponsors. Up to now, it’s worked.